Tour description
Seals on the Ballestas Islands
Arrive in Lima with one full day to enjoy the capital's colonial atmosphere. You should visit 'La Catedral' and the San Francisco Church, which are real highlights. Lima also offers very interesting museums, such as the Gold Museum. On day 3 you will take the Panamerican Highway south of Lima to Ica via Pisco. At Pisco you can visit the Ballestas Islands in the afternoon.
Geometric lines in Nazca
You will spend day 4 in Ica, an idyllic oasis in the middle of the desert. A short drive the next day takes you to Nazca, a small desert town famous for the Nazca lines. From the viewing platform or even better, from a small plane, you can admire the views of the immense figures of different animals and geometric lines etched in the desert sand ages ago.
Near the Misti Volcano
On day 6 you will take a comfortable royal class nightbus and head for the 'white city' of Arequipa. The city is situated at the foot of the Misti volcano at an altitude of 2335 meters. The central ‘Plaza de Armas’ is Peru’s most beautiful square and the baroque churches, cobble stoned streets and white washed walls represent Arequipa’s typical colonial atmosphere. Really spectacular is the Santa Catalina Monastery, which is a city on its own. On day 7 and 8 you can explore the city.
Condors at the Colca Canyon
On day 9 will enter the Altiplano and travel to Cabanaconde. Along the way you pass one of the world's deepest gorges, colourful Indian settlements and herds of vicuñas and other relatives of the llama and in the skies you will see the king of the Andes, the condor.
On day 10 you travel to Chivay, from which you can take an excursion to Colca Canyon, one of the world’s deepest gorges.
On day 11 you will be well into the Altiplano and averaging about 3,800 meters above sea level. This is the most extensive area of high plateau on earth outside of Tibet. You reach the city of Puno, located at the edge of Lake Titicaca, the world's highest navigable lake.
Stunning Lake Titicaca
On day 13 you will embark on a new adventure and one of the trip’s highlights: an excursion on the stunning Lake Titicaca! You will visit the floating islands, home of the Uros Indians, who made these floating masterpieces out of reeds that grow naturally on the banks of Lake Titicaca. You will stop at Amantani Island, where you will stay overnight at a house of the local indigenous people. The following morning you will witness the magic that is sunrise over Lake Titicaca and later that day you arrive back in Puno.
Spectacular Machu Picchu
On day 15 you will enjoy the fantastic drive to Cuzco, passing barren Altiplano scenery. The ancient Inca empire seems to come alive in one of the world's most stunning colonial cities. Inca walls, colourful costumes, churches built on top of palaces and citadels lost in the Andean heights. Cuzco is truly the archaeological capital of the Americas. Not just in the city but also around Cuzco there are great Inca monuments to visit like the imposing ruins of Sacsayhuaman, the Sacred Valley and of course the citadel of Machu Picchu, one of the world's great monuments. With its bustling nightlife, Cuzco is also a great place to party or linger over a meal in a restaurant, watching the world go by. You may go rafting on a fantastic Andes river with many rapids, plunge into history by booking a city tour or visiting one of the many museums, shop around at the street markets and art galleries all over town or just sit people-watching from a lovely terrace. From Cuzco, you can take optionally the two day or four day trip along the Inca trail (bookable online at time of booking tour).
Return to Lima
On day 20 you will travel by train to Aguas Calientes where you can pay an optional visit to Machu Picchu the following day . Undoubtedly, this 'Lost City of the Incas' is South America's most enigmatic archaeological site. On day 21 you return to Cuzco where you will have another afternoon to enjoy the city. On day 22 you will take a flight back to Lima for your final night before your tour finishes on day 23 in Lima.
Incatrail
During this tour you have the option of booking a trip to the Incatrail (not sold separately). You will walk the old pathways of the Incas before you reach Macchu Picchu. There are a 2 day and a 4 day variant and both are possible. It is however strongly advisable to book this well in advance as we are unable to guarantee you if you book less then 3 months in advance. Before booking an Inca trail excursion please check real time availability http://www.inca-trail.com.pe/dispo/index.php?lg=en. Please note that the Inca Trail is not available during the month of February.
Costs are ₤125 for 2 days / 1 night and ₤150 for 4 days / 3 nights.